El Niño inspires hope of ‘major dent’ in drought, but empty reservoirs point to long recovery

LA Times – Ever since climate experts first predicted El Niño last year, California officials have been tamping down expectations that this winter’s rains would bring significant drought relief.

Four years of drought have just been too severe, they said, and it was uncertain that the rains would fall where they were needed most: in the northern mountains and valleys where California’s water systems begin.

But after two months of steady rain and snow across Northern California, officials are beginning to see some rays of hope. Click here for full article.